United Methodists prepare for votes on lifting LGBTQ bans and other issues at General Conference
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — United Methodist delegates are heading into the homestretch of their first legislative gathering in five years — one that appears on track to make historic changes in lifting their church’s longstanding bans on same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy.
After a day off on Sunday, delegates to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church resumed their work Monday and will be meeting all this week before wrapping up their 11-day session on Friday
They’ve already begun making historic changes: On Thursday, delegates overwhelmingly endorsed a policy shift that would restructure the worldwide denomination into regional conferences and give the U.S. region, for the first time, the same right as international bodies to modify church rules to fit local situations.
That measure — subject to local ratification votes — is seen as a way the U.S. churches could have LGBTQ ordination and same-sex marriage while the more conservative overseas areas, particularly the large and fast-growing churches of Africa, could maintain those bans.
Related articles
Amir Khan's £11.5m luxury wedding venue finally hosts its first marriage: Bride arrives on horse
Amir Khan's £11.5million luxury wedding venue has finally hosted its first marriage after a series o2024-05-21Police chief charged over Seoul Halloween crush that killed 159
More than 100,000 people had gone to Seoul's labyrinth-like nightlife district Itaewon to party and2024-05-21- The area where the missing woman is believed to be. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police2024-05-21
Ai Weiwei mourns Hong Kong freedoms but is 'proud' of Tiananmen middle
by Jerome TaylorWhen dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei secretly snapped a picture of himself showin2024-05-21California congressman urges closer consultation with tribes on offshore wind
A congressman who represents California’s north coast has sent a letter to federal regulators asking2024-05-21Hong Kong police arrest four over social media posts
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here2024-05-21
atest comment